Egyptian model Salma El-Shimy sentenced to two years in jail for 'debauchery'

Egyptian model and social media influencer Salma El-Shimy has been sentenced to two years  prison and a fine of 100,000 Egyptian pounds (around $3,200) for spreading "inappropriate content" online, according to local news media. 

El-Shimy, who was more a million followers on Facebook and 3 million on TikTok, was charged on Monday with spreading online content that amounted to "debauchery" and a "violation of family values".

Influencer Salma el-Shimy was sentenced today to 2 years in prison and fined LE100,000 by the Alexandria Economic Court for violating “Egyptian family values” after getting arrested on April 2.

To read more about Shimy’s arrest and charges: https://t.co/4gJQiXkfcR pic.twitter.com/P5QaKj37GV

— Mada Masr مدى مصر (@MadaMasr) April 18, 2023

The verdict was pronounced by a court in Alexandria in northern Egypt. 

El-Shimy was first arrested by the Egyptian authorities at Cairo International Airport on 2 April while returning from Dubai.

"The accusations against Salma El-Shimy are vague," her lawyer Hany Sameh said, according to reports.

They originate from the "vestiges of regressive male chauvinism that is uncompromising against women", he added. 

She is one of several Egyptian women who have been accused of immorality over the past few years. 

"This is part of the continued targeting of girls and women of the middle class and below, to sow fear in citizens," said Makarios Lahzy, a defence lawyer who has provided advocacy for detainees in similar cases as quoted by Mada Masr. "Such fear opens the door for men to oppress women and minorities, since these state laws do not protect them."

In 2020, El-Shimy and her photographer were arrested and later released on bail over an 'inappropriate' photoshoot at the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser on the outskirts of Cairo. 

She has since removed the images from her Instagram.